Systems and methods for detecting objects proximate to a machine utilizing a learned process

Abstract

A system for detecting objects in a zone proximate to a machine includes a detection sensor, an output device, and a controller. The controller is configured to define an obstruction zone proximate to the machine and within the zone, receive detection signals from the detection sensor, determine if the detection signals indicate that an object exists within the obstruction zone, and determine if the object is indicative of a machine component, if the detection signals indicate that the object exists within the obstruction zone, based on a learned obstruction detection process. The learned obstruction detection process is configured to determine if the object is indicative of a machine component by comparing the detection signals with component-associated detection data. The controller is configured to provide an alert signal to the output device if the first object is not indicative a machine component.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for detecting objects in a zone proximate to a machine, the machine including one or more machine components lying within the zone, the system comprising:
 a detection sensor operatively associated with the machine and configured to generate detection signals, if the detection sensor senses an object within the zone, and transmit the detection signals; 
 an output device configured to provide an alert to an operator of the machine, if an object is present in the zone proximate to the machine, in response to an alert signal; and 
 a controller operatively associated with the detection sensor and output device, the controller including a processor and a memory, the controller configured to:
 define an obstruction zone proximate to the machine and within the zone, 
 receive the detection signals from the detection sensor, 
 determine if the detection signals indicate that an object exists within the obstruction zone, 
 determine if the object is indicative of a machine component of the one or more machine components, if the detection signals indicate that the object exists within the obstruction zone, based on a learned obstruction detection process, the learned obstruction detection process configured to determine if the object is indicative of the machine component by comparing the detection signals with component-associated detection data, the component-associated detection data indicative of occurrences in which one or more of the one or more machine components are detected within the obstruction zone, and 
 provide the alert signal to the output device if the object is not indicative of the machine component of the one or more machine components. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 determine the component-associated detection data, and 
 store the component-associated detection data on the memory. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive the detection signals from the detection sensor over a period of time, during which detectable objects, within the obstruction zone, only include the one or more machine components, and 
 classify the received detection signals over the period of time as component-associated detection signals, and 
 wherein, when determining the component-associated detection data, the controller is to determine the component-associated detection data based on the component-associated detection signals. 
 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the output device includes a visual display operatively associated with the controller, the visual display configured to display, in response to instructions from the controller, a virtual approximation of the obstruction zone in which space within the virtual approximation of the obstruction zone is populated with position-relative indications of the one or more machine components, lying within the obstruction zone, based on the component-associated detection data. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine if a machine component has become detached from the machine based on the comparison of the detection signals and the component-associated detection data. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine an obstruction threshold based on the component-associated detection data, the obstruction threshold having tolerances to account for mechanical fluxuations of at least one of the one or more machine components within the zone. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 2 , wherein, when defining the obstruction zone, the controller is to determine the obstruction zone based on at least one of the component-associated detection data, manual input, default zone parameters, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detection sensor is a radar sensor configured to:
 transmit radar signals within the zone, the radar signals being configured to reflect off the objects in the zone, 
 detect reflected radar signals of the transmitted radar signals, upon reflection off the objects in the zone, and 
 generate the detection signals based on the reflected radar signals. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more components of the machine includes an implement of a machine,
 the implement capable of being positioned in a plurality of implement positions, and 
 
       wherein the component-associated detection data includes data indicative of the implement being positioned in each of the plurality of implement positions while lying in the obstruction zone. 
     
     
       10. A method for determining a learned obstruction detection process for an object detection system, the learned obstruction detection process associated with one or more machine components of a machine and configured for use within a zone proximate to the machine, the method comprising:
 receiving object detection signals over a period of time from a detection sensor operatively associated with the machine,
 detectable objects within the zone, during the period of time, only including the one or more machine components 
 the zone including an obstruction zone in which the one or more machine components lie, 
 each of the object detection signals associated with at least one of the one or more components of the machine; 
 
 classifying the received detection signals, over the period of time, as component-associated detection signals; and 
 determining component-associated detection data based on the component-associated detection signals, the component-associated detection data indicative of occurrences in which one or more of the one or more machine components exist within the obstruction zone, the component-associated detection data configured for use in object detection, wherein such object detection compares the component-associated detection data with incoming detection signals, during an operation of the machine, to determine if an object identified by the incoming detection signals is indicative of one of the one or more components. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining an obstruction threshold based on the component-associated detection data, the obstruction threshold having tolerances to account for mechanical fluxuations of at least one of the one or more machine components within the zone. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising populating a virtual approximation of the obstruction zone with position-relative indications of the one or more machine components, lying within the obstruction zone, based on the component-associated detection data. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising displaying, using a visual display, the virtual approximation of the obstruction zone including the position relative locations of the one or more machine components. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more components of the machine includes an implement of a machine,
 the implement being capable of being positioned in a plurality of implement positions, and 
 wherein determining the component-associated detection data based on the component-associated detection signals is to determine data indicative of the implement being positioned in each of the plurality of implement positions while lying in the obstruction zone. 
 
     
     
       15. A machine comprising:
 a machine frame; 
 one or more machine components attached to the frame; 
 one or more ground engaging devices; 
 an implement; 
 a detection sensor operatively associated with the machine and configured to generate detection signals if the detection sensor senses an object within the zone, and transmit the detection signals; 
 an output device configured to provide an alert to an operator of the machine, if an object is present in the zone proximate to the machine, in response to an alert signal; and 
 a controller operatively associated with the detection and including a processor and a memory, the controller configured to:
 define an obstruction zone proximate to the machine and within the zone, 
 receive the detection signals from the detection sensor, 
 determine if the detection signals indicate that an object exists within the obstruction zone, 
 determine if the object is indicative of a component, the component being one of the frame, the one or more ground engaging devices, the one or more machine components, the implement, and any combinations thereof, if the detection signals indicate that the object exists within the obstruction zone, based on a learned component detection process, the learned component detection process configured to determine if the object is indicative of the component by comparing the detection signals with component-associated detection data, the component-associated detection data being indicative of occurrences in which one or more of the one or more machine components are detected within the obstruction zone, and 
 provide the alert signal to the output device if the object is not indicative of the machine component. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the implement is capable of being positioned in a plurality of implement positions, and
 wherein the component-associated detection data includes data indicative of the implement being positioned in each of the plurality of implement positions while lying in the obstruction zone. 
 
     
     
       17. The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 determine the component-associated detection data, and 
 store the component-associated detection data on the memory. 
 
     
     
       18. The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive the detection signals from the detection sensor over a period of time, during which detectable objects, within the zone, only include the frame, the one or more ground engaging devices, the one or more machine components, the implement, and any combinations thereof, and 
 classify the received detection signals over the period of time as component-associated detection signals, and 
 wherein, when determining the component-associated detection data, the controller is to determine the component-associated detection data based on the component-associated detection signals. 
 
     
     
       19. The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the output device includes a visual display operatively associated with the controller, the visual display configured to display, in response to instructions from the controller, a virtual approximation of the obstruction zone in which space within the approximation of the obstruction zone is populated with position-relative indications of the one or more machine components, lying within the obstruction zone, based on the component-associated detection data. 
     
     
       20. The machine of  claim 19 , wherein the controller is further configured to populate the virtual approximation of the obstruction zone with the position-relative indications of the one or more machine components, lying within the obstruction zone, based on the component-associated detection data.